Arsenal vs Barcelona vs Real Madrid vs Sevilla: which is the best team to watch in world football?
Although in football the most important objective is to win and get the three points (or advance in knockout competitions), more credence is given to those that do it in style. Ask nearly any football fan if they remember these famous teams and they will- the Magicial Magyars (Hungary) in the 1950s, the dynamic Brazilian side in the 1960s and the Ajax club team of the 1970s shine like beacons in football history.
In recent times, we have seen a shift in football that aims at results rather than playing well to get them, however you still see attacking excellence from a few sides around Europe- the likes of Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barcelona all try to awe their supporters with the level of football they play.
In football all supporters have varying and contrasting views- one may think the quick passing game of Arsenal is great to watch; another may feel that the wing play of Sevilla provides a much more satisfying alternative. In this article, I will try and compare the teams that I feel are the four most attacking teams in Europe- and eventually draw a final conclusion on which team is the most pleasing for the neutral. Three of the teams listed come from Spain- this probably shows why it is considered one of the best leagues to watch in the world.
Barcelona
Although Barcelona did not meet their normal high standards last season, when they are on fire they are one of the best teams to watch. The amount of quality contained in their forward lineup speaks for itself- most clubs would be happy to have just one of Thierry Henry, Leo Messi, Ronaldinho or Samuel Eto’o; Barcelona’s squad has all four. It is not just attack where Barcelona are strong- they have Deco, Xavi and ever improving youngster Giovanni Dos Santos in midfield while both fullbacks can bomb forward when needed. Two years ago Barcelona were at the top of the world- winning both La Liga and the Champions League; now they must fight back after going without a trophy last year. Although they have started off the season badly they will hope that their 3-0 win over French giants Lyon is the kick-start to their campaign- Thierry Henry scoring his first goal bodes well for the club and as long as they have the talented Messi on the pitch they will always be dangerous up front.
Arsenal
Arsenal is the one team in this list that does not play in Spain- they would not look out of place if they did though. The Gunners play with a very different style compared to the rest of their Premier League opponents- using a slow, continental passing style that can speed up at any moment in time. One moment Arsenal may be passing the ball around the edge of the opponent’s penalty area, struggling to break down a ten-man defense; the next moment may see them pull off 2-3 quick passes leading to a goal-scoring chance. Even though Arsenal were hit by the loss of mercurial striker Thierry Henry to Barcelona in the summer, they have done well- roaring to top place in the league due to some stunning performances by new talisman Cesc Fabregas. The departure of Henry meant that the team had to step up, and they have done so with goals coming from all areas of the pitch.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid had been trophy-less for the best part of three years; that all changed last year when they won the title in a frenetic battle that led up to the last day of the season. Real Madrid’s board have always valued a coach that can make the team play an attacking brand of football- most famously during the Galacticos Era where the club spent extravagant sums of money purchasing the best players in the football world. Real spent a lot of money this summer too- looking to win back-to-back titles. The club brought in the likes of Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Royston Drenthe; three players that will further enhance their attacking options. Last year’s manager Fabio Capello was sacked despite winning the league because of his inability to make the team play entertaining football; new manager Schuster will have to make sure he can get the team to gel. Real Madrid has started off the season well, currently sitting a comfortable first in the table after the slipups of title rivals Barcelona.
Sevilla
Sevilla are a youthful team with finances nowhere near matching the above three massive clubs; they have achieved far more than they should have been capable of. Sevilla are built on a collection of good, not great players- fullback Daniel Alves being the only real ‘star’ name, and Europe would do well not to underestimate them this year. Despite their heavy 3-0 loss against English side Arsenal, Sevilla should comfortably qualify for the next stage of the Champions League and will look to make the step up after winning the UEFA Cup for the past two years in a row. Arsenal manager Arsene stated that he thought the Andalusian club is capable of winning the trophy, listing them amongst the top 5-6 clubs capable of doing so and only a fool would write them off as a possible dark horse. Sevilla will look to compete in the title race again, falling away at the end of last year after massive congestion of fixtures. After winning the Copa del Rey as well as the Spanish Super Cup to complement their UEFA Cup win, Sevilla will look to compete with the big boys this season.
In my opinion it is the Arsenal side that is best to watch- no matter what the situation the Gunners always seem confident of scoring a goal. The departure of Henry has lifted a tremendous weight off the team- they play with a lot more freedom these days and if the team keeps performing as it has done, they should pick up some silverware this year. That’s my conclusion- who do YOU feel is the most attacking side to watch in world football? Should Manchester United, Liverpool, AC Milan or Bayern Munich have made this list? Tell me in the comments section below.
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Manchester United! Just that they havent found the net often enough. Lolz.. Oh well, i am a red devil alright.
United last season were devastating, and they should be up there for general ethos (every United fan demands beautiful, attacking football).
I also think that Roma play some wonderful football, and tend to be less defensive than most Italian clubs.
Man U were lucky last year, they play good football but not a patch on the like of Arsenal/Barca/Real! Ask any non bias football fan, who play the most attractive football in England and without even thinking they will say Arsenal!
Instead of discussing the playing styles of these teams, you ended up talking about what players they have. Good players don’t make a team wonderful to watch. So far this season Barcelona has failed to provide me with entertainment. May be its just me. Bayern Munich has been entertaining to watch. So has Roma as some one has already pointed out. Real Madrid looks completely different from their Italian style approach from last season. Manchester United were quite entertaining last season. However, they completely lack chemistry this season. May be injury to Rooney and suspension to Ronaldo have had something to do with it. Or may be, Scholes and Giggs are getting older. But I agree with your conclusion though, Arsenal are the best pick to watch for good entertainment!
Consistent is the key. Early season cant really tell much. Look at Liverpool now! Cant score already.
arsenal easy.. we have already won the premiership and barely any games have passed i mean who is gonna stop us….. Man Shited?? Liverpoo??? or Chelsea lol all these experienced nobodys getting beat by kids not even in their prime.
Just give the premiership to Arsenal now there is no point in waiting
Haha. Dream on gunners! Only 6 to 7 matches on, you are dreaming of wresting the premiership from Man Utd? haha… Too early my fren… Too early…
poor old gooners
havent won anything for a while and they start well against the likes of derby and all of a sudden, start praising their team as if theyre holy
utd last season combined style with winning football to devastating effects
Why are you people arguing about which is the better team? That wasn’t the question. I am a Spurs fan but I have always admired the way both Arsenal and United play; both are entertaining, but in different ways. United especially have an explosive streak about them, and they have historically outscored every team in the Premiership. Arsenal, on the other hand, have a more delicate, slow build-up, which can be good on the eye, but can also be very frustrating. And I still vote for Roma.
Roman and Bayern definately should be on the list, certainly more so than Sevilla. As for teams like United and AC Milan, it’s really a case of some of the greatest players in the world. Neither has the best overall team of attackers (although Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra is actually one of the most attacking back 4s in EPL history) but if you want to watch Rooney and Ronaldo, and who the fuck doesn’t, you need to watch United. If you want to watch Pirlo and Kaka, and I’d give my right testicle to do so, you need to watch AC Milan. I guess what I’m saying is that, in my opinion, consideration of the best team to watch is heavily influenced by individually the best players to watch.
P.S GunnerFromBeyond, you couldn’t think up a wacky pun for Chelsea?
Chelsea are laughable enough arent they no need to make fun
I have always enjoyed watching Arsenal,Barca,Real and AC Milan.But I think Arsenal is the most entertaining,whether they are winning or losing
Chelsemen?
hehe, Arsenal fans think that they have already won the Premier League. May I remind the Gunners that Man Utd have already played one of the other ‘Big Four’ while Chelsea have played two. Arsenal have played none.
As for the most attractive football team to watch, I would give that to Real Madird, nobody has, historically, played better football than them and they look set to light the world this season as well. Man Utd might have made that list, though they are not currently on form, they can play scincillating football and I am confindent we will see some of that football within the next few matches.
Arsenal is a bit of a weird choice for the most attractive team. The thing is that the play football the continental style rather than the English style, so then why would people like me, who are not from England but are amazed at the English football enjoy the style of play from another league? Though they can play pretty football I still like Man Utd more.
As far as the moment goes you would have to tip your hat off to either Schuster or Hitzfeld (? - Bayern manager)
Hitzfield is indeed the Bayern manager- but remember that his contract was rescinded in 2004 on the back of some un-Bayern performances (having won the title the season before but with a palpable lack of flair and verve).
NB: having read your last comment and associating it with what other Gunners think, I keep wondering why is it that Arsenal fans hate Chelsea more than anybody else? Can they not accept a little bit of competition? Are they really as bad losers as legend has it, have they all become little Arsene Wengers? I thought your main rivals are Tottenham, will you make up your mind already?!?
good points, Hugo:)
i am a Gooner and every time i see Arsenal play it is entertaining. Win, lose or draw its the best 90mins of football you will see.
its just a shame sky can’t show us every week instead we have to watch Aston Villa vs Man City.
there should be a rule “if you can’t sell out your stadium then you shouldn’t be live on T.V”
Off Course ManU plays very attacking football. AC Milan’s attack revolves mostly around Kaka. Otherwise they play more of italian brand football i.e. tectical and watchful one. Furthermore, don’t forget South American team Boca J. They are also worth watching when it comes to attack. Nonetheless, this article is not about WHO ATTACKS MORE. Instead, we are talking about WHOSE ATTACK IS BEST TO WATCH. And on this account I agree with Jason that ARSENAL’s attacking moves are best to watch.
I like the patience of Barcelona but i really like wacthing Valencia too i just like watching any team all together
Manchester United 7-1 Roma :p (An over used example of United’s awesomeness? maybe.Still, it was a night that perfectly captured everything we’re about).
Yes i’m biased but really there’s no other team as entertainig to watch as United. Maybe not so far this year but we’ll find our groove again.
Arsenal play pretty build-up football there’s no denying it, especially recently, and i like watching them but i’d much rather see United’s blistering ferocious counter attacks.More exciting imo but it’s all personal opinion.
This is too funny. Its so obvious to everybody, and i mean EVERYBODY, that arsenal play the most attractive football. They have done for ages now. 2-3 years ago it was arsenal and barca, with real and man utd also playing good football. Now you can add Roma to that. Milan also play well. But right now, the best attacking football or the best to watch is arsenal, barcalona and roma. and from them three (as an arsenal fan) i gotta say arsenal…..But then every pundit i see on tv also says arsenal
this is obviously a post by an Arsenal fan and his desire to put his club amongst the best in the world is clearly shown..
okay i am a man u fan but that does not mean that i am ignorant..
U are saying beautiful attractive football… agreed the teams u mentioned are up there but there is no clear winner..
last season it was by far man u which was more attractive than arsenal and this season its the other way round. Arsenal were frustrating and just because they have shown that end product for the last seven matches they dont topple barca as the best team to watch… u guys have to keep playin like that for an entire season with the quality to finish coz football is also about BEAUTIFUL FINISHES and not just passes.. barca(2006 season) madrid (numerous times) have done that and proven themselves.. so before u guys claim that u are up there and beat man u hands down in this aspect prove it by playing this football for the entire season…
Barca has maturity in the midfield, commanding figures at the back and fast paced, talented and experienced legs in front;
Real Madrid have Eleven Stars who Capello and Mourinho would find difficult to fussion into a raging fiery furnance except if they have depth;
Sevilla has good athletic legs with a good tactical wing play approach,they are hardworkers and earn their point of cause they deserve it but they dont win it cause they are not talents,
Arsenal play a brand of tactical, free flow, sleak passing, slice shots, defence bursting (Viera Era),fast paced (but with a continental build up), independently liquid pattern (post henry; where goal can come off from any leg) of football bench marked on pure skills and talents from young leg with the addition of matured and xperienced back four giving it depth (though, Gallas is a suspect);
Entertainment Football is a combination of Flair of Heart (Enthusiasm) and Flair of Legs(Skills).But I pick on Arsenal, full of possibilities that can happen anywhere within 90 minutes and on the turf emirates or not.
Iam a United Fan But I am not biased and will say Arsenal Play the best football but then again arsenal do not know how to play any other way other teams are good but the movement and counter attacks from arsenal are exquiste but at the end of the day as united showed last year its the results that count and once we were comfortable we were playing great football aswell.
“Ask any non bias football fan, who play the most attractive football in England and without even thinking they will say Arsenal”
- I must be the only idiot that don’t get this! Maybe it’s just me, but I really think Arsenal are victims of the English media hype.
- I’ve seen a couple of the Arsenal games last season in order to see what all the fuss was about. Must admit, it turned out to be very frustrating.
- Only reason why Arsenal ’seems’ good to watch is because of the way the other teams in the Premier League plays. There are a bunch of French teams in the French League that plays exactly the same.
-I also agree with a previous comment in that Arsenal is very ‘one-dimensional’.
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Personally, I feel that ManU is the best team to watch in world football (then again, this is an obvious biased view of which I am not ashamed).
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From the past 2 season’s showings, I would rule out Real Madrid, and add Chelsea in there (the time when they had a comfortable lead in the table). Even though they pissed me off at the time, their football was breathtaking and unstoppable at times
barca are unstoppable. unless one of their stars like messi henry or ronaldinho gets injured i guarantee they will win la liga. it’s just been bad luck that they aren’t on top already
AC MILAN should have been in da list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nice article by da way
kaka god and c.ronaldo
I would say undoubtably Arsenal have been the most entertaining with also the most ability over the last ten years,with Barcelona second, I do like the current Seville team but lets see if they can retain it.Lyon were a very pretty team to watch for 3 0r 4 years, and some of the smaller french teams teams are exciting.But I always thought Man Utd a lot overhyped,they seem to defend too deep and rely too heavily on crosses,and bullying officials and I have always thought Alex Ferguson a bit of a long ball merchant,but they have had a lot of success which does seem to prove that it is far harder to win things playing the ball along the ground with flair,rather than the percentage game.
Real madrid must emerge as the winner only when arjen robben and robinho plays at the same time together with ruud vannistelrooy and higuan at the center attacking